The Reverse Bucket List

I’m not a bucket list person. I’ve stated that before. I always feel like if it’s on a “bucket list,” it’s not ever going to happen. I know, I know…pessimistic.

It’s just that when I sit and think about all I haven’t done yet and then look at my age (very close to being 36), I cringe. I find it’s easy to get down on myself when I think like that.

I do love the idea of a Reverse Bucket List though.  Angela of Happy Fit Mama posted hers recently and I found myself nodding along. I love the idea of celebrating what we have already accomplished instead of dwelling on a list of yet-to-do’s (or never-will-do).

Because Angela inspired me, here is my Reverse Bucket List (in no particular order other than the stream of conscious spilling from my brain and seeping out of my fingers):

• earned two degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s
• had four pregnancies
• gave birth via C-Section twice

Eddie’s Birth

Charlie’s Birth

• survived postpartum depression and anxiety
• trained for and did a 5K
• flew on a plane alone to California despite my fear of flying alone.
• had my heart broken by someone who wasn’t worth it.
• was published in PRINT
• is set to be published in print again
• have been in the same school district teaching for 13+ years…even through SEVERAL close calls with layoffs due to budget cuts.
• learned to admit when I am wrong, and apologize sincerely for it.
• did mission work to help rebuild after hurricane Andrew in the early 90’s.
• questioned the faith I was handed as a child, and came back to it on my own terms.
• helped my husband through abdominal surgery and the loss of his father…on the same day.
• miscarried without intrusive medical “help”
• sought help when things were not Ok.
• learned to say “no”
• got a job teaching at the college level
• got AP credits by taking the test, but not taking an AP class
• went to BlogHer…twice

BlogHer14, yo.

• began calling myself a writer…and meaning it.
• was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2004.
• was honored as Elective Teacher of the Year by the class of 2011.
• quite literally married my best friend.

• started (and kept up with) a blog {over 6.5 years, yo!)
• been a part of over a dozen weddings (including my own, of course)
• got a tattoo
• attended around 100 concerts
• saw Pearl Jam play Wrigley

Pearl Jam at Wrigley 2013

• saw both the Atlantic (honeymoon) and the Pacific in the span of a year
• took pictures of some of the dives that Pearl Jam played in Seattle before they were famous
• visited the John Lennon exhibit at the Rock n Roll hall of fame
• watched the fish get thrown at Pike’s Place in Seattle

Pike’s Place Market, Seattle

• drove through the Badlands
• went on “spring break” to Florida in college
• did a road trip with friends to NYC to see Dave Matthew’s play at Giant’s stadium (with Beck and Ben Folds Five) and stayed in the basement of the house of a family a friend nanny-ed for.
• saw The Phantom of the Opera on stage in Toronto
• watched fireworks from a boat many times

sunset over Lake Michigan just before fireworks

• went skinny dipping
• sang Snoop Dogg songs karaoke
• made a house a home
• never accidentally hit “reply all”
• participated in Habit for Humanity
• lead a staff Professional Development…that seemed successful
• picked myself back up when I didn’t want to.

Whew.  That is all I can think of right now, which is pretty good, yes?

It’s so much more uplifting to think about your accomplishments than your “haven’t done yet’s”.  I have a bad habit of DAILY going over the things I didn’t get to instead of celebrating the things I did. Even if the only thing I did was get out of bed. Some days that is an accomplishment on its own, am I right?

I’ve noticed this bad habit in Eddie too.

He is a worrier like me. He frets about the things he doesn’t know how to do yet, or didn’t get to do.

I think I need to help him develop a new habit: listing his accomplishments.  I know making this list made me stand a little taller and smile a little wider.

How about you? What is your “reverse bucket list”? What have you accomplished?